MUNICH, GERMANY | ICE Europe, the sixth International Converting Exhibition, ended by setting a record attendance, as well for exhibitors and floor space, on November 24—26. A total of 5,350 trade visitors from 63 countries were said to have visited the show that focused on paper, film, and foil converting at the M,O,C, exhibition centre.

The attendance figures represent a 27% increase over the previous ICE Europe; a 20% increase in exhibitors from 21 countries, and a 30% increase in floor space.

Nicola Hamann, exhibition director of ICE Europe 2009, comments: “There was lively trading activity throughout the halls for the entire duration of the show, and the mood was buoyant. Converting professionals are starting to have a more positive outlook again. . . . In difficult economic times, when most trade shows are declining by 5%, 10%, or even 20%, it is remarkable that ICE Europe should have achieved such growth in visitor numbers in 2009.”

An analysis of an exhibitor survey by MBE indicates exhibitors were pleased with the quality of trade visitors, allowing for a large number of first-time contacts.

The next ICE Europe is scheduled for Munich once again on November 22—24, 2011. Other MBE-organized ICE events include ICE Asia for March 17—19 in Shanghai, China, and ICE South America for August 4—6, 2010 in São Paulo, Brazil. The new ICE USA is slated for April 6—8, 2011, at Orlando, FL’s Orange County Convention Center.